Free preview of NHL ‘Center Ice’ to span 19 days

A free preview of the NHL “Center Ice” out-of-market package will be offered for the first 19 days of the season.

Digital cable, telco and satellite subscribers can receive the package, distributed by In Demand, from Oct. 1 to 19. Customers who order the package before Oct. 1 can receive the early-bird price of $159.96 (four payments of $39.99).

The price is $11.84 less than two years ago. Last year’s package was discounted to $49.99 because of the NHL lockout. DirecTV will have the same price this season after charging $10 more than the suggested retail price a season ago.

Included in the package this season:

Multi-screen mosaic: A rotating mosaic of multiple screens that shows all the live action games being played around the league, along with score, time clock and channel location, is back.

Same-day replays: Each live game is re-aired beginning approximately one hour after live play ends. Each game will replay in its entirety, repeated continuously overnight and the next day, on the same channel, until the following day’s live games begin.

Dual-feed telecasts: Whenever possible, both the home and visiting team broadcasts will be shown.

Stat channel: A live source for scores, statistics, game previews, game recaps and schedule information is offered.

HD games: The package also offers many games each week in high definition. HD availability varies by system.

Unfortunately, the multi screen, same-day replay and stat channel has not yet appeared on Direct TV, even when they said it would in the past 2 years. I only think those features are available on the cable side. We’ll see if anything changes next week.

I presume any distributor not directly affiliated with In Demand can set its own price. As the post mentions, DirecTV went $10 higher last year but is line with the suggested retail this year. I haven’t seen a lot of FiOS, but it’s hard to believe that the PQ is better than DirecTV’s.

@Pete – has anyone else complained of TWC not broadcasting the preseason Ranger games in HD? That’s been the case with every game on channel 1847 and I’m concerned about it continuing into the regular season. I called TWC about it but the service rep, although friendly, was not very informed. The woman said she would point it out to management, but last night’s game was still not in HD. Any help would be appreciated!